Under Siddharth Highway, the under-construction tunnel in Tinau Rural Municipality-3, Dobhan Siddhababa area of Palpa has been breached. The breakthrough of the tunnel took place after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli gave a virtual address on Friday. Earlier, Prime Minister Oli had planned to attend physically, but at the last moment due to his health condition, he broke through virtually.
Only 1.8 meters were left to connect the north and south parts of the tunnel for break through. Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakashman Singh, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Devendra Dahal, Ministry Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma and others were present in the break through program. According to the Siddha Baba Tunnel Project Office, physical progress has reached 40.18 percent and financial progress has reached 39.90 percent. Under the
project, a 2-lane main tunnel with a length of 1,089 meters has been constructed, said Project Chief Krishnaraj Adhikari. He said that the width of its main tunnel will be 10 and a half meters and the height will be about 7 meters. The total length of this tunnel including lining will be 1 thousand 126 meters .
480 meters from the north side and 607 meters from the south side, 1087 meters of tunnel had been dug . Even if the tunnel is broken, it will take time to adjust the lining and 'slope' inside the tunnel. According to the project, even if the builders work within the time frame, it will take another year to complete the vehicle . The chief officer of the project said that the first bypass of 151 meters, the second bypass of 161 meters and the third bypass of 130 meters distance have also been constructed to rescue passengers in emergency situations when vehicles are moving in the tunnel.
Its first bypass tunnel was opened on October 4, 2081. The second bypass was opened on 7th January 2081 and the third bypass was opened on 26th August 2081 . Preparations are also underway to build a helipad on the north and south sides of the tunnel. Lining, ventilation work is still pending . Information officer Savita Gyawali said that there is still work to be done such as concreting the walls, water proofing, road construction, slope inside the tunnel, ventilation, lining, lighting, oxygen, safety measures, installation of fire extinguishers.
This project was contracted to be completed within 5 years in February 2078 . The Chinese company China State Construction Engineering Corporation, which is in charge of the construction, has signed a contract with a cost of 7 billion 34 million 21 million rupees including value added tax. According to the terms of the contract, the construction must be completed within 5 years from the start of the construction in the first phase, i.e. on 8th Chait, 2083. The digging of this tunnel was started from December 2080. According to the
agreement, the construction of this tunnel should be completed within 25 months. According to the contract agreement, the construction company has been given the right to operate and maintain the tunnel for 5 years after the completion of construction. After the tunnel is completed and operational, the citizens of Palpa, Rupandehi, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Rupandehi, Syangja, Pokhara, Baglung, Mustang and other areas of Lumbini and Gandaki provinces will be able to travel safely.
